Chapter 34 (1/2)

Chapter 34

Yun Jin sat numbly as she watched his car exit from her rearview mirror. Time crawled to a standstill as she tried to process the scene she had just witnessed. Soon, a bitter and acidic vile liquid rose up her throat. She quickly pushed the car door open and staggered to a side where she rested one hand on a palm tree for support as she doubled over and retched.

A guard on patrol recognized her and asked with concern “Ms Su, are you alright?”

Yun Jin waved her hands at him to indicate she was fine before limply making her way back onto the car. She caught sight of herself – her usual lightly made up face was as white as a sheet. Her forehead and palms were also covered in a thin coat of perspiration. She decided against changing her outfit and set off directly for the designated dinner venue.

When she arrived at the restaurant, Yu Hua was already there waiting. Yu Hua was shocked to see her pale face and dazed expression as she approached weakly. Yun Jin gulped down half a cup of water before recounting the events from the top.

After mulling it over, Yu Hua asked solemnly “What do you think Cheng Zheng hopes to achieve from this? Surely it can’t be pure coincidence?”

Yun Jin herself was at a loss and she shook her head slowly “I don’t know. Whatever his intentions are, whether it’s a coincidence, the fact that he moved into the same building as I and followed me the other night … It’s too scary.”

Yu Hua sighed outwardly “It’s been such a long time. Now both of you are living separate lives, why did he bother?”

“Yu Hua do you think he’s harbouring revenge? And she is merely a paid actress he hired to provoke me?” Yun Jin looked hopefully at her good friend, hoping to hear the response she desired.

Yu Hua hesitated. Finally, she decided to undertake the difficult role of bearer of the cold hard truth “I didn’t tell you this earlier but actually Cheng Zheng has found himself a girlfriend. I heard it from Zhou … Anyway it’s been almost two years now. From what I’ve gathered, she’s pet.i.te and pretty and studied the same course as he in university. She’s apparently a few years our junior. Based on your earlier description, I’m 80% certain it’s her.”

Yun Jin listened intently with her head bowed. A long time later, she raised her head and the final flicker of hope in her eyes had been doused “Is that so?”

Seeing her dejected manner, Yu Hua softened “Yun Jin you’re a smart woman so you should know this better than me – you’ve separated for four years now so it’s inevitable that he’s moved on. Why do this to yourself?”

“You’re right. I am more aware than anybody else. Who am I to demand that he holds out for me? He has found someone … I’d previously thought of this but seeing it with my very own eyes are completely different things. Why must he appear now? The person who previously loved only me is now with someone else.” She laughed softly but her sadness was palpable.

“Yu Hua I’m such a joke aren’t I? Before today, I was beginning to believe that I was living a good life and that even if I were to b.u.mp into him, I could force myself to smile and meet him face-on. But now I know that it was all wishful thinking on my part. The moment they appeared, I realised whatever I’ve accomplished in the past four years is not worth a mention. Whatever his goal is, he has certainly succeeded.”

“I wonder who owed the other a debt in your previous lives.” Yu Hua shook her head “But now you should at least have a game plan. I don’t think Cheng Zheng’s moving in to your block is just to vex you.”

“He already has a pretty girl on his arm, what can I possibly come up with? I can only react according to the situation.”

“Do you want to move to my place for the time being?” After Yu Hua’s graduation from medical school, she was deployed to a hospital that was affiliated to her university and she had a room on the premises.

Yun Jin shook her head at the offer “It’s not too convenient for you if I were to move over. Besides, I can’t run from him forever. Actually, it’s good that I saw what I did today. Although admittedly I’m upset, at least I can kill all hope once and for all. You’re right. No matter his motives, it’s been four years and we’ve our own lives now. I don’t owe him anything.”

“You’re really okay with it?” Yu Hua still remembered how ghastly Yun Jin looked when she walked in earlier.

“Don’t worry; I’m no longer the silly fool who will cry in secret when I encounter hurdles.”

At this moment, the waiter served the dishes that Yu Hua had already ordered. Yu Hua toasted Yun Jin and wished her a happy birthday. After clinking their gla.s.ses, both downed the alcohol in one shot.

“I’m 28 now. Wow it’s been 10 years. After all that has happened, even if I want to, I can’t deny that I’m old.”

Yu Hua couldn’t help but chuckle “Oh yes. I don’t know if you’ve heard the news but Meng Xue has given birth – it’s a boy.”

“Really?” Yun Jin was happy for her. Two years earlier, Meng Xue married their cla.s.smate Song Ming and followed her husband over to Guangzhou. This unexpected turn of events was rather amusing considering how she had pined after Cheng Zheng when the perfect man for her had been in her vicinity all along. When she was making her wedding preparations, she sent someone to deliver Yun Jin a wedding invitation. In the end however, Yun Jin sought Yu Hua’s help in pa.s.sing the couple their red packet on her behalf as she skipped the ceremony altogether.

After that, Meng Xue rang her up and asked if Yun Jin was still angry at her for being the precipitating factor for Cheng Zheng’s and her break-up. Yun Jin then explained to Meng Xue that her break-up had nothing to do with other people and that the drunk incident was merely a catalyst. Even if that night hadn’t happen, their relations.h.i.+p was doomed. She clarified that she never once held it against Meng Xue; she didn’t turn up for the wedding only because … she had no courage to face Cheng Zheng.

After that heartfelt conversation, any traces of enmity between the two dissolved and both felt an invisible burden had been lifted. How many old friends.h.i.+ps could last this long? So after Meng Xue’s marriage, their relations.h.i.+p improved significantly. Although they were not best of friends by a long shot, there friends.h.i.+p was genuine.

“That’s great to hear. I really envy her for having such a doting husband and a child. A woman possessing these … her life is perfect.” Yu Hua said enviously. The words had only just escaped her lips when Yu Hua cringed at her own insensitivity. She cast an anxious glance Yun Jin’s way and heaved a sigh of relief at Yun Jin’s non-reaction.

Yun Jin nodded in agreement “That truly is blissfulness. My mother is really anxious now and she’s wringing her hands everyday over my lack of marital status.”

“Your mom does have a point though. It really is time to sit down and think it over. Now that you’ve separated from Xu Zhi Heng, you should have a proper relations.h.i.+p.”

“When I told mom I’ll think it over, I wasn’t merely trying to placate her you know. If there is a good catch, I will be sure to snap him up.” Yun Jin joked in response.

Yu Hua laughed as well “There are a few eligible bachelors in the hospital. How? Are you interested? If you are I wouldn’t mind bearing with the loss by introducing them to you.”

“What loss are you talking about? Surely good things should be shared. But now that we’re on the topic, the killer-good-looks surgeon you introduced the last time? He’s out.”

“Okay! The next one will definitely meet your expectations …”